terrible

1 of 2

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

ˈte-rə-

1

: extremely bad: such as

a

: notably unattractive or objectionable

terrible behavior

b

: of very poor quality

a terrible movie

c

: strongly repulsive : obnoxious

a terrible smell

2

a

: difficult

in a terrible bind

b

: formidable in nature : awesome

a terrible responsibility

c

: exciting extreme alarm or intense fear : terrifying

3

: extreme, great

a terrible disappointment

terribleness noun

terribleness

2 of 2

noun

ter·​ri·​ble·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being terrible

Synonyms of terrible

Adjective

• horrible
• terrifying
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

Examples of terrible in a Sentence

Adjective

Traffic was held up by a terrible accident.

I have a terrible cold.

The service at that restaurant is terrible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Illustration by Paul Blow The South Korean writer and director Lee Chang-dong makes beautiful films about terrible things. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Try to keep that in mind the next time your kid drags you to some terrible Star Wars thing that nobody asked for. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026

This is now part of her brand, just like the shitty clothes and the terrible hair during her debut seasons. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Giamanco said he’s been struggling to sleep since the mass shooting and can’t get that terrible day out of his head. — David K. Li, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin terribilis, from terrēre to frighten — more at terror

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Phrases Containing terrible

• enfant terrible

Rhymes for terrible

• arable
• bearable
• parable
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

terrible

adjective

ter·​ri·​ble ˈter-ə-bəl 

1

: causing terror or awe : fearful, dreadful

a terrible disaster

2

a

: very great in degree

made a terrible mess

a terrible cold

b

: very bad in quality

terrible music

terribly

-blē 

adverb